Jalapenos contribute a particular flavor all their own to cuisines which range from Mexico to South America to Asia. Initially a South American native, evidence suggests peppers were domesticated as early as 3300 B.C. and were grown in North America from the 16th century. Because jalapenos are best known for their warmth, heartburn suffers may have reluctantly eliminated the tasty treats from their diets, but the”Fooled You” pepper brings the flavor without the pain.

Cooling the Heat

Unlike most jalapenos, with their warmth amounts between 2,500 and 5,000 Scoville heat units — a measure of how sexy a pepper is — that the”Fooled You” hybrid has zero SHUs. It does maintain the flavor of the pepper, however, enabling you to spice the dishes without the tears.

Growing the Peppers

The”Fooled You” pepper is a annual bushy plant which reaches 24 to 36 inches tall, with a spread of 18 to 24 inches. Prolific manufacturers, they give heavy fruits, about 3 inches long, which grow from green to red. Like other members of the Capsicum family, these peppers need several hours of sunlight each day, but also need to be shaded from the full brunt of sunlight. They grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 12, where they can enjoy warm, humid days and temperate nights. Soil ought to be kept moist, so as a lack of water can create the peppers bitter and unpalatable. Generally, they don’t demand feeding. But should you opt for fertilizer, then choose one with lower nitrogen and higher potassium and potassium levels for the most bountiful harvest.

Protecting the Plants

“Fooled You” peppers are exposed to the very same pests as other members of their family, including blister beetles, Japanese beetles and Colorado potato beetles. Brush isolated bugs from the plant with a hand instrument or a rod into sterile water. If the infestation is severe, shake the plants above a sheet or plastic to dislodge them and then spray them with the sterile liquid. Employing nectar-producing plants close to the peppers to pull predator insects can also help control these pests. Other pests which create problems for the peppers include mealybugs and aphids, which can be treated with insecticidal soap or sprayed with a strong flow of water. Defeat cutworms by wrap the stems with cardboard or foil rings until you’re able to dig and kill the creepy-crawlies.

Appreciating the Harvest

It’s possible to substitute”Fooled You” peppers in almost any recipe to get a milder variant of salsas and other dishes which commonly use jalapenos. They are also tasty full of cream cheese or other stuffing. Save an over-abundance of those treats for year-round use by freezing or drying them. Educate them seeding and deveining the peppers. To freeze them, chop them and spread them on baking sheets before placing them in the freezer. When they have frozen, keep them in zippered plastic bags or other freezer-safe containers. Dry them by placing the halved peppers in a dehydrator or putting them in the oven, on baking sheets, at about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Store them in airtight containers or grind them to include alongside other spices in meat or vegetable dishes or in sauces.

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